Fishing in South Africa
Marine anglers need a DFFE recreational permit, now available online. Freshwater licences are provincial.
10 researched spots — 5 Saltwater, 4 Fly Fishing, 1 Freshwater.
Species you can target
- black marlin
- brown trout
- carp
- dusky kob
- garrick
- giant trevally
- hottentot
- king mackerel
- largemouth yellowfish
- rainbow trout
- sailfish
- shad
- smallmouth yellowfish
- snoek
- tigerfish
- tilapia
- yellowfin tuna
- yellowtail
Fishing spots in South Africa
- Cape Point & False Bay — Cape Town, Western Cape. Saltwater, Advanced. Target species: yellowtail, snoek, yellowfin tuna.
- Sodwana Bay — KwaZulu-Natal. Saltwater, Intermediate. Target species: king mackerel, giant trevally, sailfish.
- Orange River — Upington, Northern Cape. Fly Fishing, Advanced. Target species: largemouth yellowfish, smallmouth yellowfish.
- Vaal River — Parys, Free State. Fly Fishing, Intermediate. Target species: smallmouth yellowfish, largemouth yellowfish, carp.
- Wild Coast — Transkei, Eastern Cape. Saltwater, Intermediate. Target species: dusky kob, garrick, shad.
- Durban Deep Sea — Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Saltwater, Advanced. Target species: king mackerel, yellowfin tuna, black marlin.
- Sterkfontein Dam — Free State. Fly Fishing, Advanced. Target species: smallmouth yellowfish.
- Dullstroom — Mpumalanga. Fly Fishing, Beginner. Target species: rainbow trout, brown trout.
- West Coast Snoek Grounds — Saldanha, Western Cape. Saltwater, Intermediate. Target species: snoek, hottentot, yellowtail.
- Jozini Dam — Pongolapoort, KwaZulu-Natal. Freshwater, Intermediate. Target species: tigerfish, tilapia.
Licence requirements and closed seasons change regularly. Always confirm with the relevant fisheries authority before you fish — each spot page links to its source.